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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 1/28/24
A law degree often comes with a substantial price tag. To learn more about how much law school tuition is and how to reduce your law school costs, read on.
While law school often leads to high-paying jobs and doors of opportunity, obtaining a law degree is a huge financial investment. Knowing the cost can help you prepare for law school and hopefully reduce the debt you’ll incur with your degree!
The average cost of law school in the United States varies depending on the type of institution and residency status:
The average total cost of law school is $230,163 (tuition + living expenses). Costs can vary widely based on the school and location, so prospective students should carefully evaluate tuition rates and additional expenses before committing.
The average tuition for in-state students at public law schools is $30,540. The University of Virginia School of Law has the highest tuition at $71,200. The University of the District of Columbia (David A. Clarke School of Law) has the lowest tuition at just $12,438.
The average tuition for public, out-of-state law schools in the United States is approximately $45,208 per year, totaling around $135,624 for a three-year program. The University of Virginia School of Law still has the highest tuition for out-of-state students at $76,396. The public law school in the United States with the lowest tuition for out-of-state students is the University of the District of Columbia (David A. Clarke School of Law), with an annual tuition of $24,874 for out-of-state students.
The average tuition for private law schools in the United States is approximately $53,034 per year, totaling around $168,000 for a three-year program. Columbia Law School has the highest private law school tuition at $81,888 annually. In contrast, the University of Tulsa offers the lowest tuition among private law schools, charging $29,370 annually.
Law school tuition in the United States varies by institution type. Public law schools cost approximately $30,540 per year for in-state students and $45,208 per year for out-of-state students. Private law schools are more expensive, averaging $53,034 annually, totaling around $168,000 for a three-year program. Including living expenses, the total cost of law school averages $230,163 over three years.
Here are the tuition costs of ten private law schools, which tend to be some of the most expensive law schools:
In comparison, here are the tuition costs of ten public law schools.
When comparing law schools by tuition, it's essential to consider not only the cost but also the value of the education and the financial aid options available. You should also keep in mind that there are other costs to attending law school. These costs include rent or boarding, textbook fees, transportation fees, and more.
Since 2011, the cost of tuition has been on a steady climb, increasing by an average of $4,867 every five years. It's not just a local issue; historical data going back to the 1970s reveals that tuition hikes have been a widespread trend in all ABA-accredited law schools.
The reasons behind these rising costs are multifaceted, including shrinking student-faculty ratios, higher faculty salaries, the introduction of practical legal clinics, expanding administrative staff, and ambitious construction projects.
To put this in perspective, between 1997 and 2015, tuition at Minnesota Law School shot up from $8,923 to a whopping $41,222, while at Ohio State Law School, it jumped from $6,412 to $28,577 over the same period. These numbers highlight the significant financial challenges that law school students continue to face.
If the cost of becoming a lawyer is deterring you from pursuing your academic and professional dreams, know there are multiple ways to significantly reduce the cost of attending law school!
As private universities tend to be more prestigious or higher-ranking, they cost more to attend. Public law schools are almost always cheaper and can still provide an extensive legal education!
For instance, the University of Texas still ranks in the top 20 law schools nationwide, but it is significantly cheaper than the private schools with similar rankings. The University of Texas is ranked 16th in the nation, yet Boston University is ranked 24th, and its tuition is almost twice as high.
If you attend a public university, in-state tuition will almost always be cheaper than out-of-state tuition.
A part-time program may be the best option for students who want to work while pursuing their JD. These programs are cheaper than full-time programs and allow you to work and study simultaneously.
Using FAFSA, you can apply for financial aid. Depending on your financial situation and other factors, you’ll be told how much aid you’re eligible for and what kind. You may receive federal grants, which you won’t have to pay back!
Almost every law school also has an extensive scholarship program where students are given grants or scholarships based on merit, financial need, or both! Ensure you look into the financial aid resources your school is offering to help cut down on your law school costs.
You should also apply to external scholarships that often offer significant grants to lower the costs of law school. Many of these scholarships can even cover the full cost of tuition, allowing you to go to law school for free.
Law schools often award students with high LSAT scores, GPAs, or otherwise impressive applications for full-ride scholarships. Some schools also offer exclusive early-applicant scholarships. To boost your chances of securing these scholarships, consider seeking expert coaching for law school admissions to refine your application and maximize your strengths.
Another way to reduce the cost of law school is to take a gap year. The function of this suggestion is twofold: you can save up for law school and become a more impressive candidate.
By taking a gap year, you can work full-time to begin saving up enough money to pay off some of the costs of tuition and take out fewer student loans. You may also be employed by a company that provides tuition reimbursement, allowing you to pursue a legal education for free while working.
You can also use your gap year to study hard for the LSAT or pursue work or volunteer experience that will look good on your law school resume.
For instance, NYU Law’s Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholarship offers 20 first-year students with exemplary commitment to public service, academic excellence, and potential for leadership full-ride scholarships.
For any remaining questions, here are the answers to frequently asked questions about the cost of law school.
Yes, law school can be very expensive. Even for the cheapest law schools, students typically require some form of financial aid.
The University of the District of Columbia (David A. Clarke School of Law) costs $12,438 a year for in-state students and is the cheapest law school to attend.
Law school can be well worth it, depending on several factors, including cost, career goals, and earning potential. Graduates from top-tier schools can earn over $200,000 annually. Law school can provide high earning potential and job stability, and the return on investment makes it a lucrative career choice.
The average cost of private law school tuition in the US is $53,034 a year. The average cost of public in-state tuition is $30,540 a year, and the out-of-state tuition average is $45,208 a year.
Yes, it is possible to attend law school for free through full-tuition scholarships, fellowships, or grants. Many law schools offer merit-based scholarships for high-achieving students, often based on LSAT scores and GPA.
The median salary for lawyers in the U.S. is $104,690 per year, equivalent to roughly $50 per hour.
Many students who enter law school consider the outcome rather than the journey. While many law students eventually have prosperous, high-paying legal careers, considering and preparing for the actual cost of attending law school is essential to ensure you have a smooth journey with as little financial stress and debt at the end of it!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
